Symphony Leader Quits Over Drop In Funding

Waukegan Group Is Too Costly, Board Says

The director of the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus has resigned after the Waukegan Park District's Board of Commissioners refused to reinstate full funding for the group.

Richard Hynson, who had led the ensemble for eight years, stepped down after commissioners voted to stand firm on their pledge to clamp down on the organization, which has lost nearly $78,000 over 10 years despite its charter as a break-even program.

District officials announced Monday that they had hired a new director on a short-term contract to conduct the orchestra's first concert of the season while they continue to review candidates.

Commissioners in April approved a budget that cut the orchestra's annual funding from $107,000 to $57,000, a figure that they said is a more realistic reflection of the group's ability to earn money from ticket sales and commissioned performances.

In a letter dated Sept. 1, Hynson had demanded that commissioners reinstate funding for outside professionals to serve as principal musicians and as "ringers" to fill gaps in the ensemble.

A third demand, to rescind the $60 participation fee charged to musicians for the privilege of playing, was agreed to by commissioners last week. The other demands, however, were deemed too expensive.

"My position has not changed," Hynson said after his resignation, which was accepted by Park District officials last week. "I presented three minimum requirements, without which I did not feel that I, in good conscience, could continue as music director of the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra."

Hynson added that he thinks the district should have negotiated a transition period of two or three years to allow the orchestra to seek out a new sponsor to replace funding taken away by the district.

District officials said they intend to continue with their plan to recast the orchestra as a community group with an emphasis on providing opportunities for residents rather than as a semiprofessional ensemble headquartered in Waukegan.

"Rick Hynson is a very talented artist," said Lynn Schornick, the Park District's arts director and also a conductor. "We will find somebody who is more interested in Waukegan. We are committed to making this the best community orchestra it can be."

Already signed on for the orchestra's first performance, scheduled for Nov. 22, is James Fellenbaum, director of orchestra programs at North Park University in Chicago. Fellenbaum has a master's degree in conducting from Northwestern University and served as principal cellist in the Civic Orchestra in Chicago before joining the university last year, Schornick said.

Fellenbaum and several other candidates are in the running for the position, Schornick said.

Compensation for the part-time position is expected to be similar to the $6,500-a-year contract formerly held by Hynson, he said.